The complete caravan checklist

01 Interior Preparation

Secure interior for travel

• Secure all loose items in cupboards and on surfaces Safety-critical

  Heavy items at floor level near axle; light items in overhead lockers

• Close and latch all cupboard doors and drawers Safety-critical

• Lock fridge door with transit catch

  Switch fridge to 12V mode or off for short journeys

• Latch oven door and clear items from hob

• Close toilet cassette blade valve

• Close and latch all windows Safety-critical

• Close and lock all rooflights and skylights Safety-critical

  Rooflights blow open at speed, causing damage and road debris

• Secure blinds and fly screens

• Retract TV antenna to travel position Safety-critical

• Secure table in travel position or stow

• Close and latch internal doors

• Lock habitation door from outside Safety-critical

02 Waste Disposal

Empty tanks and drain water system

• Empty toilet cassette at disposal point

  Rinse cassette and add fresh chemical before replacing

• Empty grey water container at disposal point

• Drain or reduce fresh water for transit

  Draining reduces transit weight and improves handling

• Turn off water pump

• Stow all water hoses and containers

  Pack Aquaroll, Wastemaster, and hoses securely

03 Utility Disconnection

Safely disconnect power and gas

• Turn off gas at the cylinder valve Safety-critical

  Then turn off interior gas taps to purge remaining gas in lines

• Switch off consumer unit / RCD Safety-critical

• Disconnect EHU cable from site bollard first Safety-critical

  Always disconnect supply end first to avoid trailing a live cable

• Disconnect EHU cable from caravan inlet

• Coil and stow EHU cable

  Ensure cable is dry before coiling

04 Exterior Preparation

Pack away external equipment and prepare exterior

• Pack away outdoor furniture and accessories

  Tables, chairs, mats, windbreaks

• Retract or stow the caravan step Safety-critical

• Close and lock all external locker doors Safety-critical

• Walk pitch perimeter for forgotten items

  Check for pegs, ropes, chocks, levelling blocks

05 Hitching & Coupling

Connect caravan to tow vehicle

• Apply caravan handbrake firmly Safety-critical

• Lower jockey wheel and lock in place Safety-critical

  Wheel must make firm ground contact

• Raise all corner steadies fully Safety-critical

  Verify each one is completely retracted

• Reverse car to align towball under hitch

  Use an assistant for guidance

• Raise hitch coupling lever to open Safety-critical

• Lower coupling onto towball with jockey wheel Safety-critical

  The coupling lever should click downward when seated

• Verify coupling indicator shows green Safety-critical

  If not green, the coupling is not properly engaged

• Test coupling by lifting car rear with jockey wheel Safety-critical

  Car rear should lift slightly, confirming weight transfer

• Attach breakaway cable to towbar Safety-critical

  Enough slack for articulation but not dragging on ground

• Retract and stow jockey wheel fully Safety-critical

  Trailing jockey wheel is a common and dangerous oversight

• Connect 13-pin electrical plug Safety-critical

  Insert and turn 90 degrees until it clicks

• Test all road lights with an assistant Safety-critical

  Indicators, brakes, tail lights, fog, reverse, number plate

• Remove wheel chocks Safety-critical

• Release caravan handbrake Safety-critical

  Release only when all connections are verified

• Fit and adjust towing mirrors on both sides Safety-critical

  Legal requirement when caravan is wider than tow vehicle

06 Final Safety Check

Last verification before departure

• Walk around the entire caravan for final check Safety-critical

  Steadies up, step retracted, doors locked, no trailing cables

• Check underneath for trailing cables or hoses Safety-critical

• Visual check of tyre condition and pressure Safety-critical

• Verify wheel nuts are tight Safety-critical

  Use torque wrench if not recently checked

• Final scan of pitch for forgotten items

  Levelling ramps, chocks, pegs, water containers

01 Documents & Insurance

• Check vehicle registration document

  Keep registration document accessible in the vehicle at all times

• Check insurance documents and policy number

• Locate breakdown cover card and emergency number

  Note any international cover restrictions before crossing borders

• Check driving licence is valid and in date

02 Vehicle Preparation

• Check tyre pressures on caravan and tow car Safety-critical

  Check manufacturer recommended pressures for loaded weight

• Charge leisure battery to full before departure

• Fill fresh water tank

  Consider whether campsite hookup or aquaroll will suffice instead

• Check gas supply level

  Carry a spare cylinder if touring in remote areas

• Test all lights: indicators, brake lights, running lights Safety-critical

  Ask a helper to confirm brake and rear lights while you operate controls

03 Route & Booking

• Plan route and check road restrictions for caravans

  Check height, width and weight restrictions, and caravan-prohibited roads

• Confirm campsite booking and check arrival time

• Check ferry or tunnel booking if applicable

  Arrive at the terminal at least 45 minutes before departure

• Download offline maps for the journey

  Download maps covering your full route in case of poor mobile signal

04 Packing Essentials

• Pack bedding and towels

• Pack kitchen essentials and food supplies

• Load outdoor furniture: chairs, table, awning mat

• Pack levelling blocks and wheel chocks

  Chocks should always be placed before unhitching on any surface

• Pack water containers: aquaroll and wastemaster

  Clean and rinse containers before filling at the start of the season